The Rose Garden. 



says there are thirty-two remedies derived from the Rose. He tells us they used to 

 obtain Roses before the natural season by watering the plants with warm water so 

 soon as the buds were visible. Whether such was the plan pursued by the Roman 

 gardeners we are at perfect liberty to doubt, although it is certain they had, under the 

 reign of Domitian, abundance of Roses in winter. Martial, the famous epigrammatic 

 poet, ridicules the Egyptians for sending them Roses when they had already plenty, 

 and asks them to send corn instead. Dr Deslongchamps relates, on the authority of 

 Seneca, that the Roman gardeners had at this time found out the means of 

 constructing hot-houses, which they heated with tubes filled with hot water, and 

 thus induced Roses and Lilies to flower in December. La Rose, &c., par Dr 

 Deslongchamps. 



With regard to the culture of this flower in those times, M. Boitard says, "The 

 cultivation of flowers, and particularly of Roses, was carried on upon a grand scale, 

 both at Paestum and in the environs of Rome. The sale of the flowers was ordinarily 

 in the hands of the prettiest girls of the place, and the Latin Poets have immortalised 

 the names of several of these charming flower-girls, and have even deified some of 

 them. The divinity of Flora, the goddess of flowers, has no other origin." Manuel 

 Complet de I' Amateur des Roses, &c., par M. Boitard ; Paris, 1836. 



If there is any one period in the world's history when flowers engrossed too much 

 the attention of a nation, it was under the reigns of Augustus and subsequent 

 Emperors of Rome. The love of flowers was then carried to excess ; and the Rose 

 seemed to bear away the palm from all. It was customary for the wealthy 

 inhabitants to take their meals resting on Rose-leaves a practice which Cicero loudly 

 condemns. Roses were scattered upon the beds and floors of the chambers of their 

 guests. At their festivals they put the flowers in their cups of wine. In times of 

 public rejoicing the streets were strewed with flowers, and the statues of their deities 

 were adorned with crowns and garlands of Roses. Cleopatra, in a feast given to 

 Marc Antony, is said to have expended a talent in their purchase, and the room of 

 entertainment was strewed with them to a considerable depth. Suetonius, the Latin 

 historian, relates of the Emperor Nero that he spent four millions of sesterces, 

 amounting to more than 30,000, in procuring Roses for one feast. Alas, that these 

 gems of earth should have been so perverted from their just use ! Here, instead of 

 opening up a source of pure and intellectual enjoyment, we see them debased, and 

 administering to the vanity and lust of a luxurious people. 



